Vented Sports Bag

ABSTRACT

A well vented, durable and sturdy sports bag that provides a two-way airflow between the inside and outside of the sports bag is provided. The sports bag comprises an interior, an exterior, a base section consisting of a pliable sheet-type material, a middle portion comprising a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls made of the same pliable sheet-type material as the base section, the middle portion further comprising a plurality of perforations extending through the entirety of at least a segment of the fabric material of the middle portion, a top section further comprising a closable opening to allow access to the interior of the portable sports bag, and at least two carrying handles extending above the top section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to sports bags. Moreparticularly, to sturdy sports bags with good ventilation to providegood airflow inside the bags and thereby prevent odors from developing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports bags are very popular among athletes of different sports becausethey are highly functional for carrying items and can have an attractiveappearance. Sports equipment and apparel often get soiled with sweat andother environmental elements such as dirt, depending on the particularsport. Soiled equipment may develop foul odors if kept enclosed inside atypical non-ventilated bag. Several attempts have been made in the artto make sports bags with good ventilation by strategically placing meshsections in different places to create a visually appealing bag with theadded advantage of airflow through the inner compartment of the bags.Unfortunately, mesh is often times delicate and prone to ripping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Examples of the present invention relate to well ventilated, yet sturdyand durable, sports bags for carrying sporting goods and methods formaking such bags and different forms that such bags may take such asduffel bags, backpacks, travel bags and any other container type bag forcarrying goods.

The sports bag of the present invention may be made from a sheet-typematerial, which may be a woven material such as a fabric material, forexample synthetic fabric materials such as polyester and/or naturalmaterials such as cotton. Further, the sheet-type material may comprisea leather material, a synthetic leather material, a sheet-material madeby extrusion such as rubber, linoleum, plastic, or any other materialthat is bendable and is produced in sheets.

In one example, the sports bag of the present invention comprises aninterior, an exterior, a base section having a water repellent material,a middle portion comprising a rear wall, a front wall, and two sidewalls made of the same water repellent material as the base section, themiddle portion further comprising a plurality of perforations extendingthrough the entirety of at least a portion of the material of the middleportion that permit a two-way airflow between the interior and theexterior of the sports bag while maintaining the structural integrity ofthe perforated material, a top section made of the same water repellentmaterial as the base section further, a closable opening to allow accessto the portable sports bag, and at least two carrying handles or strapsextending above the top section. A water repellent material used in theconstruction of a bag in accordance with the present invention may, forexample, comprise a textile treated with a durable water repellent (DWR)or other treatment.

In another example of the present invention, the perforated waterrepellent coated material of the middle portion of sports bag of thepresent invention may be reinforced prior to forming perforations. Forexample, the middle portion may be reinforced by screen printing thefabric with an elastomer material such as, but not limited to, siliconbased elastomers. Alternatively and/or additionally, polyurethaneelastomers such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) may be applied tothe middle portion of the bag. The process of reinforcement addsstrength and durability.

In an additional example of the sports bag of the present invention, thewater repellent coated material of the base section may be reinforced ina similar fashion as the middle portion. Wear and tear of the basesection may be inevitable due to the nature of how sports bags are used,i.e., usually thrown or placed on surfaces that have high friction, suchas cement floors. Reinforcement of the base section may be useful inprolonging the life of the sports bag as well.

Yet in another example of the sports bag of the present invention, thewhole water repellent coated material used in the construction of thesports bag may be reinforced with an elastomer material such aspolyurethanes, silicon based elastomers, styrenics, copolyesters,polyamides, polyolefin blends, polyolefin alloys, etc. These elastomersmay be applied using techniques such as screen printing, bonding theelastomer to the material using heat or ultrasonic energy, and/or anyother method available in the art for applying these materials onsheet-type materials such as woven fabrics, leathers, syntheticleathers, etc. The material used for reinforcement and/or the method ofapplying the reinforcement material may vary for different materialsused to form portions of sports bags in accordance with the presentinvention.

In a further example, the sports bag of the present invention may bemade of a pliable sheet-type material comprising an interior and anexterior defined by a base section, a middle portion comprising a rearwall, a front wall, and two side walls made of a reinforced andperforated pliable sheet-type material, and a top section made of aperforated and pliable sheet-type material, wherein the perforationsextend through the entirety of at least a portion of the pliablesheet-type material. The size, spacing, and arrangement of theperforations may be selected to maintain the structural integrity of thesheet-type material while permitting a two-way airflow between theinterior and the exterior of the sports bag.

Screen printing may be used for the reinforcement of the sheet-typematerial used for the fabrication of the sports bags of the presentinvention. However, reinforcement of a bag in accordance with thepresent invention may also be done by other types of printing, such asink jet printing, where the ink may comprise an elastomer material suchas styrenics, copolyesters, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyolefin blendsand polyolefin alloys. The pliable sheet-type material mayalternatively/additionally be reinforced by affixing two or more layersof the pliable sheet-type material together using any type of welding,adhesives, stitching, etc.

In another example, the sports bag of the present invention may comprisedifferent sheet-type materials for different parts of its bodyconstruction. For example, a base section may be made of leather or asynthetic leather material, a middle portion and a top section may bemade of a polyester fabric material, and carrying straps may be made ofa plastic, leather, or linoleum material. In other examples, the middleportion and the top section may be made of a cotton fabric, or astretchable fabric such as spandex, or both.

Yet in a further example, the sports bag of the present invention maycomprise a base section made from a reinforced or non-reinforcedsheet-type material, a middle portion made from a reinforced ornon-reinforced sheet-type material with perforations extending throughthe entirety of the middle portion, and top section made from the sameor a different reinforced or non-reinforced sheet-type material as themiddle portion, comprising a closable opening and at least two carryinghandles extending above the top section.

Further, a sports bag in accordance with the present invention mayfurther comprise a top section formed of a sheet-type material withperforations through the entirety of the top section as well, whereinthe perforated sheet-type material may or may not be reinforced with anelastomer layer.

A sports bag in accordance with the present invention may be constructedby stitching, welding, and/or adhering the different body partstogether, or any combination of these or other approaches. Depending onthe pliable sheet-type material(s) selected for use in a bag, heatwelding, ultrasonic welding or any other welding mechanism available forthe specific type of pliable sheet-type material may be employed.

In accordance with the present invention, a sturdy and durable sportsbag with the advantages of permitting two-way airflow between theinterior and the exterior of the sports bag without the use of fragilematerials such as mesh is provided. The two-way airflow between theinterior and the exterior of the sports bag of the present invention isachieved by having a plurality of perforations through a portion of thebody material of the sports bag itself. The perforations thereby providegood ventilation and/or may even provide added visual effects to theappearance of the sports bag without substantially decreasing thestrength of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side and front view of a representative bag of the presentinvention showing the perforations for venting in the middle section ofthe bag;

FIG. 2 is a side and front view of a representative bag of the presentinvention showing reinforcement of the perforated section of the bag;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforced base section of thebag of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side and front view of a representative bag of the presentinvention showing the perforations for venting in the middle portion ofthe bag and the top section of the bag;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforced and perforatedportion of the bag of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side and front view of a vented backpack in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a vented gym sack in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Conventional vented sports bags use mesh type materials to create thevents in the respective bags. Unfortunately, these mesh type materialsare weak and tend to fail shortly after the bags are in use, whichshortens the life span of the bags. The present invention providesvented and durable sports bags.

In reference to the figures, in FIG. 1, an example of the sports bag ofthe present invention is shown. The sports bag 100 may be made of apliable sheet-type material. Any pliable sheet-type material may be usedin accordance with the present invention. The pliable sheet-typematerial may optionally possess water resistant properties, eitherinherently or due to an appropriate treatment of the material. Forexample, a water repellent coated pliable sheet-type material like a 600d polyester material may be used, wherein the water repellent maycomprise silicon and/or acrylic water repellents usually referred to asDWR (Durable Water Repellent). The vented sports bag 100 in FIG. 1comprises an interior and an exterior defined by a base section 160, atop section 140, and a middle portion 150. The middle portion 150 iscomposed of a front wall 152, two side walls 154, which may or may notcomprise side pockets, and a rear wall (not shown). The middle portion150 further comprises a plurality of perforations 110 extending throughthe entirety of at least segments 112, 108 and/or 106 of the sheet-typematerial of the middle portion 150, permitting a two-way airflow betweenthe interior and the exterior of the sports bag 100, while stillmaintaining the structural integrity of the perforated sheet-typematerial. The top section 140 may further comprise a closeable opening130 to allow access to the interior of the sports bag 100, two carryinghandles 115 and 117, and a shoulder strap 104.

In the sports bag 100 of FIG. 1, each perforation in the plurality ofperforations 110 is shown having a circular shape and arranged along thecenter, top part of the front wall 152 of the sports bag 100. However,perforations 110 may be of different sizes and may have differentpositions and/or configurations than shown in this example.

In a different example, the perforations in the plurality ofperforations 110 may have different shapes and/or combination of shapessuch as square, heart, star, triangular, chevron or any other shape onemay conceive. One shape may be employed uniformly for the perforationsas presented in sports bag 100 or different shapes of perforations maybe employed simultaneously (not shown). Also, the plurality ofperforations 110 may be arranged in different patterns to providevarying ventilation and/or create different visual effects.

Further, the size, pattern, and spacing between each of the perforations110 may be selected to achieve an optimal level of two-way airflow whilestill maintaining the structural integrity of the pliable sheet-typematerial used in the construction of the sports bag 100. For example, ifthe perforations 110 are too big relative to the wall 152 or walls 154,the structural integrity of the sheet-type material may be greatlycompromised. The size at which perforations 110 become too large maydepend upon the proximity of each individual perforation to one another,the articles expected to be stored in the sports bag 100, the type ofmaterial used for walls 152 and 154, any reinforcement provided forwalls 152, 154 etc. On the other hand, if the perforations 110 are toosmall, the two-way airflow may be compromised. How much airflow isdesired, and hence how small perforations may be, may depend upon theintended use and/or contents of the bag. If the perforations 110 are tooclose to each other, the fabric or sheet-type material may fail. If theperforation 110 are too far apart, there may not be enough perforations110 to create an optimal level of ventilation.

Another example of the present invention may comprise a perforated frontwall portion 214 and side wall portions 208 and/or 206, wherein theperforated area with a plurality of perforations 210 may furthercomprise a reinforcement layer for the perforated segment 214 byapplication with an elastomer material, such as a thin layer ofthermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) prior to perforation, as shown in FIG.2. The sports bag 200 in FIG. 2 comprises an interior and an exteriordefined by a base section 260 made of a pliable sheet-type material, amiddle portion 250, and a top section 240. The middle portion 250 iscomposed of a rear wall (not shown), a front wall 252 and two side walls254 that may be made of the same pliable sheet-type material as the basesection 260. The bag may further comprise perforations 210 on side walls254 at segments 208 and/or 206. Perforated segments 208 and/or 206 mayor may not also comprise a reinforcement layer like perforated andreinforced segment 214. The middle portion 250 further comprises apliable, reinforced and perforated sheet-type material having aplurality of perforations 210 extending through the entirety of at leasta segment 214 of the pliable sheet-type material. The perforations 210may permit a two-way airflow between the interior and the exterior ofthe sports bag 200, while maintaining the structural integrity of theperforated and reinforced sheet-type material. The top section 240 mayalso be made of the same sheet-type material as the base section 260.The top section 240 further comprises a closable opening 230 to allowaccess to the interior of the portable sports bag 200. The sports bag200 may also have at least two handles 215 and 217, and a shoulder strap204, extending above the top section 240 of the sports bag 200 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a close up of a cross-sectional area of the segment 214 of thefront wall portion 252 of the sports bag 200 where the plurality ofperforations 210 are located. Sheet-type material 310 has adhered to ita reinforcing layer 320 with cut perforations 210.

FIG. 4 is a representative view of a further example of the sports bag400 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the sports bag 400 of thepresent invention comprises an interior and an exterior defined by abase section 460 made of a pliable sheet-type material, a middle portion450, and a top section 440. The middle portion 450 is composed of a rearwall (not shown), a front wall 452 and two side walls 454. The middleportion further comprises a pliable reinforced and perforated sheet-typematerial having a plurality of perforations 410 extending through theentirety of at least a segments 412, 408 and/or 406 of the pliable,reinforced and perforated sheet-type material. The perforations permit atwo-way airflow between the interior and the exterior of the sports bag400 while maintaining the structural integrity of the perforated andreinforced sheet-type material. The top section 440 may also be made ofa perforated and pliable sheet-type material with a second plurality ofperforations 470. The second plurality of perforations 470 may extendthrough the entirety of at least a segment 471 of the pliable sheet-typematerial. Further, the sports bag 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 may have aclosable opening 430 to allow access to the interior of the portablesports bag 400. The sports bag 400 may also comprise two carryinghandles 415 and 417, and a shoulder strap 404 extending above the topsection 440 of the sports bag 400 of the present invention.

In another example, the sports bag of FIG. 4 may comprise a base section460, made of a reinforced and pliable sheet-type material. Reinforcementof the base may be done by application of an elastomer material such asa thin layer of TPU as previously discussed for the reinforced andperforated sheet-type material, as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional area taken from the base section 460 ofthe sports bag 400 presented in FIG. 4. The pliable sheet-type material510 may be strengthened by the reinforcing layer 520. This reinforcedsheet-type material in the present example may be used for the basesection, but this reinforced fabric material may also be used for theentirety of the body of the sports bag 400 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a different type of bag, a back-pack 600, whereventing perforations may be used to create a two way airflow between theinterior and the exterior of the back-pack 600. The back-pack 600 shownin FIG. 6 comprises a base section 610, a middle portion 620, and a topsection 630 with a closable opening or openings 650. The back-pack 600may further comprise a plurality of perforations 645 extending throughthe entirety of at least a segment 640 of the front wall 670, of themiddle portion 620 as shown in this figure, or the back of the middleportion 620 (not shown), or the sides 680 of the middle portion 620.Also, the back-pack 600 may comprise one or two carrying straps 660.Optionally, the areas of high stress such as the base and the perforatedsegments, may be reinforced, as presented earlier.

FIG. 7 is an additional example of a different bag in accordance withthe present invention. The bag in FIG. 7 is a gym sack 700 comprising afront wall 710 and a back wall (not shown). Additionally, the gym sack700 may comprise a base section 730, which may or may not be reinforced,and carrying straps 720, that also serve to close the gym sack 700opening for access to the main compartment. Optionally, the gym sack 700may also comprise a zippered pocket 750 for additional storage. The gymsack 700 in accordance with the present invention may be provided with aplurality of perforations 745 extending through the entirety of at leasta segment 740 of the front wall 710 (as shown). The plurality ofperforations 745 may also be provided through the entirety of at least asegment of the back wall (not shown), or both the front wall 710 andback wall. As in the previous examples, the perforated segment 740 andthe base section 730, may further comprise reinforcement.

Further, the gym sack 700 may be formed of a base section 730, a frontwall 710, and a back wall, joined together by seams at the two opposingsides of the walls and around the perimeter of the base section 730. Oralternatively, the gym sack 700 may be formed from a tubular piece ofpliable sheet-type material with only a seam around the perimeter of thebase section 730 to join the base section and the bottom edge of thetubular piece of sheet-type material (no side seams at the walls).

The present invention has been described in relation to particularexamples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Alternative uses may be made of the present inventionwithout departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, togetherwith other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system andmethod. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinationare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope ofthe claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A ventedportable sports bag for carrying goods, the sports bag comprising: abase section consisting of a water repellent coated material; a middleportion comprising a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls made ofthe same water repellent coated material as the base section; aplurality of perforations extending through the entirety of at least asegment of the fabric material of the middle portion, the plurality ofperforations permitting a two-way airflow between the interior and theexterior of the sports bag while maintaining the structural integrity ofthe perforated fabric material; a top section made of the same materialas the base section, the top section further comprising a closableopening to allow access to the interior of the portable sports bag; andat least two carrying handles extending above the top section.
 2. Thevented portable sports bag of claim 1, wherein the coated materialcomprises a polyester material.
 3. The vented portable sports bag ofclaim 2, wherein the polyester material comprises 600d polyester.
 4. Thevented portable sports bag of claim 1, wherein the perforations have acircular shape.
 5. The vented portable sports bag of claim 1, whereinthe perforations have a non-circular shape.
 6. The vented portablesports bag of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement applied to theperforated segment of the middle portion.
 7. The vented portable sportsbag of claim 6, wherein the reinforcement applied to the perforatedsegment of the middle portion comprises an elastomer applied with ascreen printing process.
 8. The vented portable sports bag of claim 6,wherein the reinforcement applied to the perforated segment of themiddle portion comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
 9. A ventedportable sports bag for carrying goods, the sports bag comprising: abase section made of a pliable sheet-type material comprising areinforcement; a middle portion comprising a rear wall, a front wall andtwo side walls made of a pliable sheet-type material; a segment in thepliable sheet-type material of the middle portion further comprising thesame reinforcement as the base section; a plurality of circularperforations extending through the entirety of the reinforced segment ofthe middle portion, the plurality of perforations permitting a two-wayairflow between the interior and the exterior of the sports bag whilemaintaining the structural integrity of the perforated sheet-typematerial; a top section made of the same pliable sheet-type material asthe middle portion, further comprising a closable opening to allowaccess to the interior of the portable sports bag; and an interiordefined by the base section, the middle portion and the top section. 10.The vented portable sports bag of claim 9, wherein the perforations havea non-circular shape and are arranged to create a pattern.
 11. Thevented portable sports bag of claim 9, wherein the reinforcement appliedto the base section and the reinforced segment of the middle portioncomprises an elastomer applied with a screen printing process prior toperforation.
 12. The vented portable sports bag of claim 9, wherein thereinforcement applied to the base section and the reinforced segment ofthe middle portion comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
 13. Avented portable sports bag for carrying goods, the sports bagcomprising: a base section made of a pliable sheet-type material; amiddle portion comprising a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls;a top section comprising a closable opening to allow access to theinterior of the portable sports bag; the top section further comprisinga plurality of perforations extending through the entirety of at least asegment of the top section, the plurality of perforations permitting atwo-way airflow between the interior and the exterior of the sports bagwhile maintaining the structural integrity of the perforated sheet-typematerial; the middle portion further comprising a reinforcement throughat least a segment of the middle portion; a plurality of perforationsextending through the entirety of the reinforced segment of the middleportion, the plurality of perforations permitting a two-way airflowbetween the interior and the exterior of the sports bag whilemaintaining the structural integrity of the perforated sheet-typematerial; an interior defined by the base section, the middle portionand the top section; and at least one carrying handle extending abovethe top section.
 14. The vented portable sports bag of claim 13, whereinthe perforations are a circular shape.
 15. The vented portable sportsbag of claim 13, wherein the perforations have a non-circular shape. 16.The vented portable sports bag of claim 13, wherein the perforations arearranged to create a pattern.
 17. The vented portable sports bag ofclaim 13, wherein the reinforcement applied to the segment in thepliable sheet-type material of the middle portion comprises an elastomerapplied with a screen printing process.
 18. The vented portable sportsbag of claim 13, wherein the reinforcement applied to the segment in thepliable sheet-type material of the middle portion comprises athermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
 19. A vented portable sports bag forcarrying goods, the sports bag comprising: a base section made of apliable sheet-type material and a body portion joined to the basesection by a seam along the perimeter of the base section; a closableopening defined by an edge of the body portion opposite to the basesection; the body portion further comprising a plurality of perforationsextending through the entirety of a segment of the body portion, theplurality of perforations permitting a two-way airflow between theinterior and the exterior of the sports bag while maintaining thestructural integrity of the perforated sheet-type material; and at leastone continuous strap.
 20. The vented portable sports bag of claim 19,wherein the body portion comprises a front wall and a back wall joinedat side seams located at opposite ends of the front wall and back wall.21. The vented sports bag of claim 19, wherein the body portioncomprises a continuous tubular sheet-type material.